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The next Cherrywood community event will be our Valentine's Dinner Dance on Feb. 9, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now - see Nancy at Bingo - this has always been a sellout. Cost is $12.50 per person.

The Citizens Emergency Response Team had its first meeting of the New Year on Jan. 16 in their new place, the Heritage Real Estate building. A big thank you goes out to Palm Cay owner Ken Kirkpatrick for providing this space.

Many issues on the CERT agenda were discussed; the purchase of supplies, distribution of CERT bags to members, two-way radios, and volunteers needed to train for Ham operators (radio operators classes are free but there is a cost for the book). If interested, call Bob Pleffner, he’s listed in the Palm Cay directory.

Just down the road apiece last month’s Christmas holiday was assuredly made merrier for a good many preservists by a group of Spruce Creek Preserve volunteers. This spirited group, intent on sharing their Christmas cheer, prepared and served a most delectable Christmas dinner to a special gathering of Preserve residents in the Community Center ballroom.

Australian writer Jeanette Turner Hospital has given us a haunting tale that keeps on resonating even after the last page. The title, Due Preparations for the Plague, is taken from a 17th century work of Daniel Defoe who as a child witnessed the horrors of the Black Death, an ironic title in that the premise of both his work and Hospital’s is that there is no way to prepare for a plague.

A recent visit to the pioneer settlement in Barberville prompted my interest in sewing crafts. So I touched base with “Eddie” Mock to learn more about our Marion Landing Quilters and also received some input from Jan Doudna and Fran Szutar along the way.

This quilters group idea tumbled out of conversations between two Marion Landing woodcarvers more than a dozen years ago. Discovering their wives enjoyed making quilts, Hayden Jones and Frank Szutar decided the ladies ought to meet each other.

Learning the ropes was as much a part of the job as printing and delivering production manifests at the General Motors assembly plant in Doraville, Ga. Part two concludes my first memories of my entry job with the automotive manufacturer.

Grease was used liberally and frequently to keep the wheels of the assembly line rolling smoothly, and without any undue friction. Lubriplate was the brand name and a sticky concoction it surely was.

On my way to Pun Alley I got shanghaied and wound up in Tampa several days before their Jan. 26 Gasparilla pirate fest. An invasion by a fully-rigged pirate ship, with cannons booming, will force the city to surrender and start festivities that culminate with a pirate parade.

I managed to tuck the column into a tiny rum cask, commandeer a carrier parrot and send him winging his way back to the Corridor with tales of punny pirates.

Paper Pirate

One of the first pirates I met was wearing a paper towel on his head. I asked, “Why are you wearing a paper towel?”

Playing in a foursome on Thursday, Jan. 10 at Royal Oaks Golf Course,Joan O’Brien had a hole in one on the 16th hole. Hearing much hootin’ and hollerin,’ a nearby homeowner, Bob Comeriato,came out with his camera and took pictures of the jubilant girls.

Before Joan got home, he left a message on her phone telling her the pictures were in her e-mail. What a surprise for Joan. She said he must be a really nice guy to have done something nice like this.

Nobody enjoys privacy more than Yours Truly. I confess I am not a very happy camper when that privacy is compromised in any fashion. Recently, I endured a tremendous trespass on my privacy.

One day last week, I got up as usual and tottered off to the bathroom for my accustomed routine. It was then I got the shock of my life of which I am not over as of yet. I am sure this experience will be with me many years down the road. I am not sure I need counseling – but maybe a day or two at a rehab center just might do the trick.

In honor of Black History Month, Freedom Public Library is planning an African American Read-in. Join them Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. to read, write your own story, draw, or just listen.

Reading selections will be provided – or bring your favorites. All ages are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

The local multiple sclerosis support group, The Turtles, is meeting at Freedom Public Library. The first gathering is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is led by Lynn Zeuch, the group’s facilitator.

“Well, if you want to sing, sing out, sing and if you want to be free, be free ‘cause there’s a million things to be. You know that there are. You can do what you want, the opportunity’s on, and if you can find a new way, you can do it today.” Lyrics by Cat Stevens.

The message of this song — we’ve got choices and we should explore them. Choosing our happiness means we should explore & embrace the options.